Medical Policies and Clinical UM Guidelines

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Medical Policies

Anthem Blue Cross has developed medical policies that serve as one of the sets of guidelines for coverage decisions. Benefit plans vary in coverage and some plans may not provide coverage for certain services discussed in the medical policies. Coverage decisions are subject to all terms and conditions of the applicable benefit plan, including specific exclusions and limitations, and to applicable state and/or federal law. Medical policy does not constitute plan authorization, nor is it an explanation of benefits.

Medical policies can be highly technical and complex and are provided here for informational purposes. The medical policies do not constitute medical advice or medical care. Treating health care professionals are solely responsible for diagnosis, treatment and medical advice. Anthem Blue Cross members should discuss the information in the medical policies with their treating health care professionals.

Medical technology is constantly evolving and these medical policies are subject to change without notice, although Anthem Blue Cross will use good faith efforts to provide advance notice of changes that could have a negative impact on benefits. Additional medical policies may be developed from time to time and some may be withdrawn from use. The medical policies generally apply to all of Anthem Blue Cross’ fully-insured benefits plans, although some local variations may exist. Additionally, some benefit plans administered by Anthem Blue Cross such as some self-funded employer plans or governmental plans, may not utilize Anthem Blue Cross medical policy. Members should contact their local customer services representative for specific coverage information.

The doctors, hospitals, and other providers which are part of the network of providers referred to in this document are independent contractors who exercise independent judgment and over whom Anthem Blue Cross has no control or right of control. They are not agents or employees of Anthem Blue Cross.

If you would like to request a hard copy of an individual medical policy, please call Anthem Blue Cross at the number on the back of the member’s identification card. The materials provided to you are guidelines used by this Plan to authorize, modify, or deny care for persons with similar illnesses or conditions. Specific care and treatment may vary depending on individual need and the benefits covered under your contract.

Clinical UM Guidelines

Anthem Blue Cross has developed clinical UM guidelines that serve as one of the sets of guidelines for coverage decisions. Anthem Blue Cross is also licensed to use MCG™ guidelines (formerly known as Milliman Care Guidelines®) to guide utilization management decisions. This may include but is not limited to decisions involving pre-certification, inpatient review, level of care, discharge planning and retrospective review. The MCG™ guidelines licensed include (1) Inpatient & Surgical Care Guidelines, and (2) General Recovery Care Guidelines. Anthem Blue Cross also has the right to customize MCG™ guidelines based on determinations by its Medical Policy & Technology Assessment Committee (MPTAC).

Benefit plans vary in coverage and some plans may not provide coverage for certain services discussed in the clinical UM guidelines. Coverage decisions are subject to all terms and conditions of the applicable benefit plan, including specific exclusions and limitations, and to applicable state and/or federal law. A clinical UM guideline does not constitute plan authorization, nor is it an explanation of benefits.

Clinical UM guidelines can be highly technical and complex and are provided here for informational purposes. These guidelines do not constitute medical advice or medical care. Treating health care providers are solely responsible for diagnosis, treatment and medical advice. Anthem Blue Cross members should discuss the information in the clinical UM guideline with their treating health care providers.

The clinical UM guidelines published on this web site represent the clinical UM guidelines currently available to all health plans throughout our enterprise. These guidelines address the medical necessity of existing, generally accepted services, technologies and drugs. Because local practice patterns, claims systems and benefit designs vary, a local plan may choose whether to implement a particular clinical UM guideline. While the clinical UM guidelines developed by Anthem Blue Cross are published on this web site, the licensed standard and customized MCG™ guidelines are proprietary to MCG™ and are not published on the Internet site.

Medical technology is constantly evolving and clinical UM guidelines are subject to change without notice. Additional clinical UM guidelines may be developed from time to time and some may be withdrawn from use. Members should contact their local customer services representative for specific coverage information.

The doctors, hospitals, and other providers which are part of the network of providers referred to in this document are independent contractors who exercise independent judgment and over whom Anthem Blue Cross has no control or right of control. They are not agents or employees of Anthem Blue Cross.

If you would like to request a hard copy of an individual clinical UM guideline or MCG™ guideline, please contact the member's health plan at the number on the back of their identification card.